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Check by VIN to confirm the
exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (1)
Power train: automatic transmission
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "P" (PARK) POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM, THAT IS INTENDED TO HOLD YOUR VEHICLE, MAY NOT ENGAGE.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION JANUARY 8, 2003. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Canadian recalls (1)
Show 1 Canadian recall
Powertrain
2002-11-05 · campaign 2002-200
On certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, the parking pawl actuating rod ("parking rod") spring retainer may be defective. The parking pawl may not engage the parking gear fully and could cause the vehicle to move if the parking brake is not applied. Correction: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission parking rod assembly. Replacement parts will not be available until January 2003.
Owner complaints (88)
Owners filed 88 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Subaru Forester (21 crashes, 1 fires, 8 injuries reported). Among 29 model years of this model, it ranks #21 for the most complaints (median 131).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 23 | |
| Power train | 16 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 14 | |
| Air bags | 10 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 9 | |
| Suspension | 9 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 6 | |
| Unknown or other | 5 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Subaru Forester.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2002 Subaru Forester 4-DR. | – | – | – | 3★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2002 Subaru Forester version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Forester AWD 2.5 L Automatic 4-spd | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Forester AWD 2.5 L Manual 5-spd | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.